Chapter 11
HAVEN
I only go back into the mansion after the sun has disappeared.
When I step into the dark living room and pull the sliding doors shut, the lights come on automatically, startling me.
At least I won’t have to search for light switches.
I cautiously glance into the foyer and up the stairs, and keep still for a moment. Not hearing Leo moving anywhere nearby, I quickly walk to the kitchen.
Maybe I’m lucky, and he’s not home. He said he had work to do.
When the light comes on and I don’t see any signs that Leo’s prepared dinner, I go to the fridge and open it.
I glance over all the produce before helping myself to an orange and an apple. I grab two bottles of water and a can of soda that looks like it’s orange-flavored. I set my haul down on the marble island and search through the drawers and cupboards until I find a shopping bag.
I load my fruit and drinks into it, then look through the cupboards, helping myself to a pack of cashew nuts and a box of salted crackers.
At the last second, I decide to take another two cans of soda and the remaining four waters.
Now I can hide in my room for a day or so.
I quickly head back to my bedroom and lock the door behind me. Knowing Leo can easily break it down, I set the shopping bag down on my bed. I spend the next ten minutes struggling my butt off to move the heavy dressing table in front of the door.
Hopefully, that will be enough to keep Leo out.
My phone begins to ring, and I rush to where I left it to charge on the bedside table.
Seeing Mom’s name, I quickly answer, “Mom. Are you okay?”
“Where have you been?” she shrieks. “I’ve been so worried. Did Leo do anything else to you?”
“I’m okay.” Feeling awful for not keeping my phone with me, I say, “I’m sorry.
I was outside. I couldn’t be in the same mansion as Leo.
He hasn’t done anything else. I think he’s out, probably killing some poor soul.
” I pause to take a breath. “I got food and water from the kitchen, and I’ve barricaded myself in my bedroom. ”
“Oh, thank God!” Mom lets out a heavy sigh, and for a few seconds, silence falls between us.
Knowing I’ve hurt her today, my voice is filled with remorse as I apologize, “I’m sorry for locking you in that room. I knew you’d fight for me, and they’d end up hurting or killing you. I did what I had to do to protect you.”
“It’s my place to protect you, Haven.” She sounds distraught, and it has me sitting down on the bed and closing my eyes. “How am I supposed to live with the fact that I didn’t keep you safe from that monster?”
“We don’t stand a chance against him.”
I shake everything from the shopping bag and pack my haul on the bedside table. Taking a bottle of water, I unscrew the cap and drink some.
“I know, but I still have to try. I can’t just leave you there with the head of the mafia.”
“Maybe we get lucky, and the police arrest him,” I mutter.
“We can only hope!”
I put Mom on speakerphone before I lie down, getting comfortable. “How are things on your side?”
“Nicolo is a madman. He’s locked me in my room, and I heard him yelling at Giada and Liliana to stay away from me.”
We’re both prisoners, but at least I can walk around the mansion.
“I’m so sorry, Mom.” A tear sneaks out of my eye, and I brush it away. “Things can’t stay like this forever.”
“As long as they don’t get worse,” she mutters.
We’re quiet for a while again before I say, “I gave him back the stupid ring. I refuse to wear it.”
“Good! The bastard can shove that ring where the sun doesn’t shine.”
I let out a tired chuckle.
“Besides all the crap we’ve had to deal with, how are you holding up, sweetheart?”
“I had a good cry when we got home.” Realizing what I just said, I quickly correct myself. “I mean, back to Leo’s place. I sat outside on the beach for hours, so I feel better.”
“I’m glad to hear that. When you get a chance, send me photos of the mansion. I want to search on Google and see if I can find out where you are.”
“I’ll send you the photos tomorrow morning.”
Just like the night before, we keep talking about the same thing, over and over, until I drift off to sleep.
I’m lying beside someone, and he’s brushing his hand over my hair. Feeling safe, I snuggle closer to him.
‘I love you too, stellina mia.’
Suddenly, I land on the floor, and somebody falls over me. I look up and see a younger version of Leo, but the next second, the adult version hauls me over his shoulder while gunshots fill the air.
Screaming, I dart upright, my heart thundering in my chest.
“Haven!” Mom calls out, and it takes a moment before I make sense of my surroundings and that Mom is still on the phone with me. “What’s happening?”
“It was a nightmare,” I gasp through the emotions I experienced in the dream.
“Oh no. What did you dream?”
“It was similar to ones I had as a child, but this time Leo was the monster carrying me out of that bedroom.”
After taking me to years of therapy, Mom knows every detail of the nightmares I used to suffer from. Besides the nightmares, I can’t remember anything from before my parents adopted me. My therapist said it’s because something bad happened, and my mind blocked it.
Mom and Dad don’t know anything about my past. They just accepted me with open arms and did their best to help me heal from whatever happened when I was six.
“Shit. All this violence has probably triggered you,” Mom says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah. The flashes returned when Leo shot Luciano.”
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Do you want to do a mental exercise?”
“Yes.” I lie down on my side and close my eyes.
“I’m lying beside you, brushing my hand over your hair.”
“I feel safe because you’re with me.”
“You don’t hear the gunshots. You don’t see the monster. There’s only you and me.”
I picture Mom holding me tightly, and nothing is able to pull me out of her protective arms.
“You’re loved and safe with me,” Mom murmurs, her tone soothing.
“I’m loved and safe,” I repeat her words, and my emotions start to settle. “Thanks, Mom. I feel better.”
“That’s good to hear, sweetheart. I’m going to hang up so I can take a shower. I’ll call in a few hours again, but if anything happens and you need to talk, just shoot me a message.”
“Okay. I’m going to read for a little bit.”
“I love you, Haven.”
“Love you, Mom.”
We hang up, and I reach for the bedside table for my Kindle. I scroll through my endless Tbr, the sight of the mafia romances I used to love so much now making me angry. I begin to delete them, but realize I have no internet connection.
Shit, there’s no way I’m asking Leo for his wifi password.
I check how much data I have on my phone, but there isn’t much, and I don’t want to waste it.
I’ll just shove all the books into a folder.
I spend the next few hours sorting out my Kindle before I take a break to eat the fruit.
When lunch time comes and goes, and Leo doesn’t come to knock on my door, I decide to take a relaxing bath.
Heading to the bathroom, I open the faucets before looking at the products on the counter. I pick up the bottle of bath oil and sniff it. It smells like some kind of expensive perfume.
I pour a few drops into the tub and wait until there’s enough water and the temperature is the way I like it before I switch off the faucets.
I grab clean underwear, a pair of leggings, and an oversized T-shirt, wanting to cover as much skin as possible.
Gathering my phone and Kindle, I walk back to the bathroom and lock the door behind me.
I set my clothes down on the counter and the devices on the floor beside the tub.
While I put my hair up in a messy bun, my thoughts fill with everything that’s happened since Leo barged into my life and kidnapped me.
Unlike the past two days, there’s no wave of shock, which must mean I’m getting used to the trauma.
I strip out of my clothes and climb into the tub. Determined to lose myself in a book, I pick up my Kindle and lie back. I look through the small town romances and pick one that has good reviews, noting it’s a light and funny read.
After everything Leo has put me through, I’ll never read anything remotely dark again.
I force myself to focus as I start with chapter one, but every few minutes, the hell I’m stuck in pops into my mind like a creepy Jack-in-the-box.
I can’t believe he made me marry him. He said ‘I do’ so easily.
Why? What the hell is it about me that caught his attention?
Was it love at first sight?
I let out a disgruntled snort and mumble, “Yeah, right.”
A beep from beside the tub draws my attention, and I set the Kindle down before picking up my phone.
Kristen: You’ve been quiet. How are things with your family? Any idea when you’re coming home?
I might never go home to Whitefish again.
My heart clenches as I contemplate what to say to my best friend.
Haven: Things are a shit show this side. I can’t talk about it yet, but I have a huge favor to ask.
Kristen: Oh no! I’m so sorry. What can I do to help?
Haven: If we’re not back by the end of the month, can you pack all our belongings and put them into storage? I don’t want the landlord to throw everything out.
Kristen: What the hell? Is there really a chance you won’t come back? How long will you stay in Italy then?
Haven: I don’t know.
Kristen: That’s insane! How am I supposed to survive without you for so long?
My chin begins to quiver, and a lump forms in my throat.
Haven: I miss you so much. I wish we never took this trip. It’s awful.
Kristen: I miss you too. I’m crying my eyes out. At most, you can only stay in Italy for three months. You’ll come back before then, right?
I want to keep Kristen safe, so it has me typing out another lie.
Haven: I don’t know. We might get another visa. I have no idea how things work here.
Kristen: Nooooo. That sucks. You can’t stay there longer than three months. I swear I’ll get on a plane and bring your ass home.
Knowing she doesn’t have enough money for international travel, I don’t worry about her threat. Instead, it warms my heart.
Haven: Yeah, you can kick everyone’s asses and save me. LOL.
Kristen: Well, while you’re stuck there, I discovered a new mafia author. Natalie Kane. I read the sample, and it’s freaking good. We can do a long-distance buddy read.
Oh hell no.
God, Kristen’s going to lose her mind when she finds out I was forced to marry a mafia boss.
Haven: I just started a small town romance. I’m in the mood for light books.
Kristen: Okay. I’m going to read the mafia romance, though. I’ll let you know what I think of it once I’m done.
The water starts to grow cold, and it has me saying goodbye.
Haven: I have to go. Love you!
Kristen: Love you too.
I set the phone down on the floor beside the tub and quickly wash myself before climbing out.
I dry off, and after getting dressed, I grab the box of salted crackers and a soda, then head out onto the balcony to sit by the table.
Time crawls by, and when the sun begins to set, I frown, realizing Leo didn’t call me for lunch or supper.
Is he ignoring me?
Not that I’m complaining that he’s leaving me alone, but I’m hungry for actual food.
I stand up and glance down at the veranda. Not seeing any light spilling from the living room, I wonder if Leo’s still away for work.
I walk into my bedroom, and leaning over the dressing table, I press my ear to the door. When I don’t hear anything, I let out a sigh and struggle to push the table out of the way.
As quietly as possible, I unlock the door and pull it open. I glance up and down the dark hallway, noticing Leo’s bedroom door is closed.
I don’t think he’s home.
I sneak down the stairs and hurry to the kitchen, where I make a sandwich for myself.
While I’m eating, I glance around me, taking a moment to admire how stunning the kitchen is.
Hmm. With Leo gone, I can explore a little.
With my sandwich in hand, I begin to walk through the mansion. I don’t feel bad as I snoop through the drawers and closets I find in a study. It’s decorated with a heavy oak table and leather armchairs, but it doesn’t look like Leo spends a lot of time in here.
Taking the last bite of my sandwich, I head up the stairs and check the other rooms. Not finding anything interesting, I stop in front of Leo’s bedroom. Careful not to make a sound, I try the handle, but the door is locked.
I wonder what he’s hiding in there.
Probably guns.
I shudder at the thought and head back down to the first floor.
I find the remote for the huge-ass TV mounted on the wall, and taking a seat on the couch, I try to figure out how it works.
I’m not used to being alone. Usually, I’m either with Mom or Kristen, so the silence in the foreign house makes me feel lonely as hell.
After spending minutes trying to find a channel to watch, I give up and switch off the TV.
Suddenly, I hear the front door open, and I jump to my feet. I rush to the stairs, and seeing an armed man, I let out a shriek and hurry back up to the second floor.
“Mrs. Toscano!” the man calls out, but I don’t wait around to hear what he has to say. I rush into my bedroom and slam the door shut before locking it.
With my breaths bursting over my lips, I shove the dressing table back into place.
God. Was that one of the many guards I’ve seen out in the front yard, and if so, why did he come into the house when Leo’s not home?
Shit. Do I have to worry about Leo’s men hurting me?